Opinions on the cut block

powerpete · 18-08-2014 9:07pm #1

what do ye folks think of the cut block from a players point of view on an amateur level, Iafa? it's one of the things that went towards finishing my playing career, it's not far from deliberately trying to injure a opposition player in my books the game could so without it.

ABajaninCork · 18-08-2014 9:25pm

powerpete wrote: »

what do ye folks think of the cut block from a players point of view on an amateur level, Iafa? it's one of the things that went towards finishing my playing career, it's not far from deliberately trying to injure a opposition player in my books the game could so without it.

That's why a cut/chop block is so heavily penalised. It's a 15 yarder and 1st down...

powerpete · 18-08-2014 9:29pm

Only when the the defender is engaging a separate player it's used frequently still, I saw it being used frequently last weekend in Iafa games

Hazys · 18-08-2014 9:32pm

In the NFL, its only a penalty to chop block a defensive player when he is already being blocked by another offensive player.

1 on 1 chop blacks are not penalties.

helimachoptor · 18-08-2014 9:38pm

I have played soccer for many years, thankfully my most serious injury has been a couple of pulled muscles. If a player is going for the ball and breaks my leg I would have no issue with that, these things happen.
However if i know a player is intentionally going to try and injure me, well i do have an issue with that.

I would view chop blocks in that regards tbh, someone intentionally trying to hurt me, I would not be happy and considering i'm probably 6'6 and 300+ pounds.. thats a lot of angry!

GoldFour4 · 18-08-2014 11:42pm

I remember Favre cut blocked the crap out of some cornerback (could have been a safety) a few years ago and there was a lot of criticism. There's very few things in the game that look more sinister than a deliberate cut block.

TO. · 18-08-2014 11:51pm

Chop blocks and Cut blocks are two different things. A chop block is as described by Hazy and illegal in all forms of the game. A cut block is still allowed and is a 1v1 issue where the defender drops at the lower portion of the opposing player. 99% of all cut blocks are players knowing what they are doing within the laws not going with intent to hurt someone the other 1% are scumbags.

Take Gronk last season his injury was a cut block that destroyed his knee. Legal and nothing wrong with it and part of the game. Injuries happen from it but are actually rare.

Now saying all this why would Amateur level guys remove a perfectly good technique just because there is potential for injury that doesn't happen that often? A normal tackle can lead to injury as can going to catch a ball and landing incorrectly. Once coaches teach perfect technique and make sure their players aren't gunning for knees why shouldn't a cut block be allowed.

BizzyC · 19-08-2014 7:37am

Absolutely nothing wrong with cut blocks when they're used properly.

A proper cut should be through the front of the leg and only delivered downfield from the original placement of the ball (ie never back towards the ball, or infield) to avoid any contact with the side of a player's knees.

The Favre one was not in accordance to these rules, hence why it took so much flak.

I've played amateur ball for 12 years, have a reconstructed knee to show for it.
I've never had any issue with offensive players trying to cut me, getting tackled puts your legs at much higher risk.

If a defensive player is cut while engaging with a different blocker, then it's not a cut block, it's a chop block which is illegal and dirty.

powerpete · 19-08-2014 10:10am

when there are so many rules to protect offensive players should there be something for defensive players? Now I personally really dislike the move and that it's still there, never used it when I played offense, I ve found its mostly used by guys who don't want to come in and hit straight up there is often a blur between one on one and engaging with another player too if your blitzing a gap let's say

BizzyC · 19-08-2014 2:00pm

if you're blitzing a gap and manage to get double teamed, you're not blitzing a gap, you're running into the o line...
You either need to work on your blitz packages or talk to your dline.

There is protection there to say when an offensive player is allowed to cut and what constitutes a legal cut, we do much worse to offensive players who come downfield or across the middle.

Unless you've been getting chopped or blindsided by cut blocks, I can't really understand your complaint. Apart from a dead leg, I've never seen anyone badly injured from a properly executed cut block.

Vikings · 19-08-2014 6:53pm

This is a cut block:

You cut someone above the knee. Go through the thigh and when it's done right (see above) nobody gets hurt.

The key is when it is done right.

It's just like tackling. When it is done right you tackle the ball carrier and get up to do the same on the next play.

When it is done wrong there is potential for all kinds of neck/spinal/you name it injuries.

Would you suggest people stop tackling to prevent injuries?

Football is a collision sport. You are going to get hit. You are going to get hit high, low, sideways, backwards and hard, sometimes very hard. If you use good technique and play smart (and with a little luck) you will avoid injuries. I managed to play the last 11 seasons in the iafa without picking up an injury until I broke my own finger while wrapping a qb earlier this year, shit happens but we move on!

I like the cut personally. It gives smaller/weaker guys an edge on the bigger guys. Once it's done once they will expect it and it gives you an advantage. The key is knowing when to do it & when you do it, do it right.

Opinions on the cut block

Comments